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We want to talk about health again, and with our vision being one of our main senses to perceive this world, we decided to make this new blog about eye care terminology and vocabulary in Spanish. And knowing how important it is to have clear, good communication with your patients to assist them, you will find a guide to medical Spanish for Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists who are familiar with beginner to advanced Spanish. 

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INTRODUCING YOURSELF TO PATIENTS

First, we have some lists with simple phrases to introduce yourself to your patients and to get to know them, their symptoms, current issues with their vision, and their family history.

ENGLISH PHRASESSPANISH PHRASES
Good morningBuenos días
Good eveningBuenas tardes
You can come in and take a seatPuede pasar y tomar asiento
My name is (name here)Mi nombre es (name here)
I will be your (profession here - see below)Yo seré su (profession here - see below)
What is your name?¿Cuál es su nombre?
It's a pleasure to meet youEs un placer conocerlo/a

EYE CARE TEAM NAMES IN SPANISH

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
OphthalmologistOftalmólogo
OptometristOptometrista
OpticianÓptico

ASKING PATIENTS BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR VISIT

ENGLISH PHRASESSPANISH PHRASES
What brings you here today? ¿Qué lo trae aquí hoy?
What issue are you having with your vision? ¿Qué problema está experimentando con su visión?
How long have you been experiencing this issue?¿Hace cuánto está experimentando este problema?
Do you have any family members with the same or a similar problem?¿Tiene usted algún familiar con el mismo problema o algo similar?
Tell me more about that
Cuénteme más acerca de eso
Have you ever been diagnosed?
¿Ha sido diagnosticado/a antes?
How old are you?
¿Qué edad tiene?
Do you have any other health issues?
¿Padece usted algún otro problema de salud?
Do you take any medication?
¿Toma usted alguna medicación?
What’s the name of the medication and daily dose?¿Cuál es el nombre de la medicación y en qué dosis la toma?
Have you had any previous optical prescriptions?¿Le han sido prescritos lentes antes?
Did you feel any progress or on the opposite side some issue/discomfort with them?¿Tuvo usted algún tipo de progreso o por el contrario algún problema o incomodidad con ellos?

EYE EXAM SPANISH GUIDE

If you need a guide to perform a basic eye exam in Spanish, we’ve got you covered. Our guide will provide you with accurate information and commands for you to determine their visual health.

ENGLISH PHRASESSPANISH PHRASES
I'm going to put you in this machine to test your visual acuityVoy a colocarlo en esta máquina para evaluar su agudeza visual
Simply look to the front, you’ll see a small balloon, focus on itSimplemente, mire hacia al frente, va a observar un pequeño globo, enfóquese en él
DoneListo
Now let’s go to the next machine, sit here pleaseAhora vamos hacia la siguiente máquina, siéntese aquí por favor
I’ll point out different elements in the chart on the wall, and you have to tell me what you seeVoy a señalar diferentes elementos en la tabla de la pared y usted debe decirme qué ve
If you were to describe the last item that you couldn't see with clarity, you’ll say it’s…Si tuviera que describir el último ítem que no ve con claridad, diría que es….
BlurryBorroso
Crooked Torcido
Undefined edgesBordes no definidos
Bigger size, like in a magnifying glassTamaño agrandado, como en una lupa
One of the edges is undefined at:
90°
180°
40°
140°
Uno de los bordes no está definido a los:
noventa grados
ciento ochenta grados
cuarenta grados
ciento cuarenta grados
I’m going to test different lens powers, and you will tell me, looking at the table in the wall, if your vision improves or worsensVoy a probar diversos aumentos y usted debe decirme mirando hacia la tabla en la pared si la calidad de su visión mejora o empeora
Rest your chin here, pleaseApoye su mentón aquí por favor
This machine possesses a strong light that may be a little uncomfortable, I’ll have to let you know at certain times when I need you to stop blinking, it will be just for an instantEsta máquina posee una fuerte luz que puede ser algo incómoda, tendré que hacerle saber en algunos momentos que necesito que deje de parpadear, será solo por un instante
Don’t blink, pleaseNo parpadee, por favor
You can blink nowPuede parpadear ahora
As a last step, I’m going to apply this substance to your eyes, to dilate your pupils and check the retina state with a small device called a RetinoscopeComo último paso, voy a aplicar esta sustancia en sus ojos, para dilatar sus pupilas y poder observar el estado de su retina con un pequeño aparato llamado Retinoscopio

OTHER USEFUL PHRASES FOR OPTOMETRISTS, OPTICIANS, AND OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

We made a list with different phrases to help you schedule a new appointment, diagnose or to give directions for prescribed medication. 

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
I want to see you again in…Quiero verlo/la de nuevo en...
I’m going to prescribe you this medication, you have to apply it...Le voy a prescribir esta medicación, debe aplicarla...
Once a dayUna vez al día
Twice a dayDos veces al día
Three times a dayTres veces al día
Four times a dayCuatro veces al día
Three daysTres días
One weekUna semana
One monthUn mes
Two monthsDos meses
Three monthsTres meses
One yearUn año
You suffer a case of (insert pathology)Usted sufre un caso de (insert pathology)

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OPHTHALMOLOGY AND EYE TERMINOLOGY IN SPANISH

In addition, we put together this list providing you with the appropriate terms for your profession in Spanish, that way you can communicate with patients or a colleague properly.

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
EyelidPárpado
PupilPupila
IrisIris
EyelashesPestañas
ScleraEsclera
EyebrowsCejas
Hyaloid canalCanal hialoidea
CorneaCórnea
ChoroidCoroides
Ciliary bodyCuerpo ciliar
FoveaFóvea
Vitreous humorHumor vítreo
LensCristalino
MaculaMácula
Optic nerveNervio óptico
EyeOjo

OPHTHALMOLOGY EQUIPMENT IN SPANISH

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
LensometerLensómetro
KeratometerQueratómetro
Slit lampLámpara de hendidura
RetinoscopeRetinoscopio
Snellen chartTabla de Snellen
Visual field-testing mapsAnalizador de campo visual
Corneal topographerTopógrafo corneal
CycloplegiaCicloplejía
FluoresceinFluoresceína
Trial lenses Caja de prueba
PhoropterForóptero
Contact lensesLentes de contacto
Prescription lensesLentes de receta

EYE CHART IN SPANISH (SNELLEN CHART)

 

SPANISH PRONUNCIATION OF THE SNELLEN CHART ITEMS

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
LensometerLensometro
KeratometerQueratómetro
Slit lampLámpara de hendidura
RetinoscopeRetinoscopio
Snellen chartTabla de Snellen
Visual field-testing mapsAnalizador de campo visual
Corneal topographerTopógrafo corneal
CycloplegiaCicloplejia
FluoresceinFluoresceína
Trial lenses Caja de prueba
PhoropterForóptero
Contact lensesLentes de contacto
Prescription lensesLentes de receta
Dividing linesLíneas divisorias
Green lineLínea verde
Red lineLínea roja

MOST COMMON EYE CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS

ENGLISH TERMSSPANISH TERMS
MyopiaMiopía
AstigmatismAstigmatismo
HypermetropiaHipermetropía
Myopic astigmatismAstigmatismo miópico
Hyperopic astigmatismAstigmatismo hipermetrópico
GlaucomaGlaucoma
ConjunctivitisConjuntivitis
StrabismusEstrabismo
Macular degenerationDegeneración macular
Retinal detachmentDesprendimiento de retina
Loss of visionPérdida de visión
PhotophobiaFotofobia
AmblyopiaAmbliopía
BlepharitisBlefaritis
Eye ointmentUngüento ocular
Eye dropsGotas
Visual exercisesEjercicios oculares

OTHER SPANISH RESOURCES FOR OCULAR PROFESSIONALS

Hey there. Welcome.
I'm Jessica Duarte - and I wrote this article.

Stuck on this topic? Hire me for just 1 hour to start mastering it. Pass a test, improve basic vocabulary or improve your conversational level in Spanish.

Book a 1 Hour Lesson With Me
Price: $30/hour

Jessica Duarte - Spanish Tutor

There are so many tools in this technologically and advanced world we live in, and you should get a hold of them in order to improve your language day to day:

➔ Use online apps like Duolingo to improve your vocabulary, and practice a little every day, so your brain gets more and more familiar with the sounds.

➔ Join online groups on Facebook with people that are learning too, so you can exchange your knowledge.

➔ Create your phrasebook, including what you have learned and useful phrases for your daily basis.

➔ Connected with the previous point, you can also get a medical Spanish tutor to help you create your phrasebook, expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of spoken Spanish. Having someone who speaks the language fluently makes the difference, since you can also practice speaking and correct all pronunciation mistakes and work towards your goals. A tutor will always be your support when learning a new language.

➔ You can also check our 149 Spanish Medical Terms For Medical Professionals blog to learn more Spanish medical terms. 

 

 

About the Author:

Jessica Duarte - Spanish Tutor

Specializations: Spanish Tutors on WhatsApp Video

Bio: Hello, I'm Jess, I'm a Uruguayan student of Optometry, living in the US. I'm native in Spanish and fluent in English. I'm passionate about languages, I've been learning English since elementary school in both British and American dialect. And I'd like to help you in your journey to learn Spanish in a relaxed and practical manner, and to focus on what you need the most and what's useful for you and the dialect you are learning or want to learn. I also could help you if you want to improve your English skills at writing, pronunciation and daily conversational skills. We'll start every class with the questions that you have and after clearing them all we'll cover the subject of that class. I like to personalize every class for the individual person because we all learn in different ways. I like a dynamic, fun and entertaining class that you enjoy because that's the best way of learning. I think that with patience and perseverance everything is possible, and we'll celebrate every little short-term goal that makes you closer and closer to your main goal in this journey.

View my Profile to Book a Private Spanish Lesson

Other articles: Spanish for EMTs – Get Your Survival Emergency Guide, Spanish Terms for Mental Health Professionals, Medical Spanish Tips for Physical Therapists, Improving Spanish Reading, Listening, Writing, & Speaking Skills

Disclaimer: The information found on this website is meant only to aid healthcare professionals who want to improve their Spanish skills to communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients and not to be used as medical advice. Medical professionals should not rely on the content of this website to evaluate, diagnose or treat any health related condition.

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